We are celebrating the Caribbean in our house tonight. It is a family tradition that began nearly sixteen years ago. The tradition started during a February when snow had kept us penned inside for so long that we were on the verge of becoming suicidal.
For tonight the firewood has been cleared from the hearth, replaced by seashells and palm fronds. The thermostat has been pushed up to 79 degrees and an oscillating fan is on standby if needed.
The coffee table is gone from the middle of the family room floor. In its place three beach chairs are positioned in a semicircle around a blue, red, and yellow striped umbrella.The beach chairs have been carefully arranged for optimum viewing of the television so that we can enjoy the DVD of Caribbean beaches. As for the umbrella - well, that's to protect us from the ultraviolet rays being emitted by the sunlamp hanging high on one wall of the family room.
In a nearby room, just far enough away that the sounds might be coming from a beach side bar, a mix of Reggae and steel drum music is playing.
Of course evening beach side music can mean only one thing - happy hour. While we blend frozen strawberry daiquiris we will be preparing a spicy Caribbean cuisine of shrimp and fish.
We'll just have to hope no one comes to the front door while we we're celebrating. It would really take much too long to explain the bathing suits and the smell of suntan lotion.
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